Free Agency Updates
1. Losing Nate
I'm unsure of the effects of losing Nate Washington. If Sweed steps up, then it is no big deal. If Sweed struggles, then the offense might not be as effective on passing downs. They still have Ward, Holmes, Miller and Moore as good receiving threats. Mendenhall might be a decent receiver out of the backfield, like Moore. However, Sweed has shown that he can get separation against nickle backs. If Ward or Holmes miss playing time due to injury, then Sweed might struggle against starting corners. How will this uncertainty affect the draft? Will the Steelers take another WR at 1.32?
2. Losing McFadden
A good nickle back is no longer a luxury in the NFL. If you want to compete at a high level, the defense has to have 3 solid CBs. The Steelers currently have Ike, Gay and Townsend. These three are good, but an injury might cause issues at depth. This position is a lot like the WR position, in that the starters are good, but depth is needed.
3. Keeping Debo
This is a great deal getting Harrison signed long term. I think that was a necessary thing to do, as he completely outplayed his contract. Good for an Akron boy!
Pre-draft Thoughts
1. Positions with need now
Right guard is the most glaring need on this team right now. Stapleton is a good backup, but as a starter he is not as consistent as you'd like. As the Steelers parted ways with Simmons, this is the position that has the biggest immediate need.
2. Positions with need in 2010
Hartwig, Ward, Clark, Foote, Colon, Starks and Hampton all are playing on their last year of contract in 2009. Ward will be re-signed, as will Big Snack. The question is, how will the Steelers upgrade ILB and C? Timmons is a good ILB, but he needs another young buck next to him. Farrior is no longer at his peak. Will the Steelers re-sign Clark? Will the Steelers re-sign their OTs?
The DE position is getting long in the tooth, so a young buck here would be nice too.
3. Steeler options
The Steelers can draft the best interior lineman available. I like Alex Mack, who can play RG as an immediate upgrade in 2009, and then slide to C in 2010. The kid out of Oregon, Unger, woud be good for this too.
Look for the Steelers to have high priority for drafting the following positions: C/G, WR, CB and DE. Other positional needs are OT, ILB and FS. The Steelers will most likely not draft a QB, TE, RB, FB, SS, OLB and NT.
Steelhead
